Social Icons

11 April 2016

The UK Festivals You Need To Know

When the weather is glorious, the UK can make for some of the finest festivals across the globe. Line ups may feature similar names but each festival comes with a specific crowd suited to a specific crowd, and you know, the people make the party.

Over the past couple of years I think I've covered mostly all of the festivals, bar Glastonbury (feel my pain, yeah), that are dotted about the UK. There's a lot on offer this summer and these are my top 5 UK festival picks.

Glastonbury, June 22nd - 26th

No, I've never been. So, can I actually give you any solid advice as what to expect? Most definitely not. However, like running the London marathon, whether or not you're suited to it, I reckon it's an experience everyone should have at least once.

This year's line up is an ode to British brilliance. So, in true Brits style, criticism of Glastonbury's line up has been at an all time high. True, the festival is very radio friendly this year but there are also new acts thrown into the mix such as pop princess Dua Lipa, London grime artists Stormzy and Skepta and old school electronic group Underworld.

If there's one things that Glastonbury's line up can't be faltered for, it's its huge variety. This year's line up is a little soft but there's still something for everyone, in my opinion.

Where Glastonbury failed to produce the goods on the female front, Latitude prevailed. Set in the idyllic grounds of Henham Park in Suffolk, Latitude is hosting a strong female line up of artists. Grimes is headlining the BBC Radio 6 stage, while Laura Mvula and MØ are sure to be festival highlights also.

Indie stars The Maccabees are set to perform their first major headline slot. M83 are set to make a fierce comeback at the festival at the Obelisk arena alongside John Father Misty, CHVRCHES, Chet Faker and many more.

Expect good vibes, chilled out crowds and bohemian mania.

For adults, day tickets are £77.50 plus booking fee and weekend tickets come in at £197.50 plus booking fee.

Every year Field Day delivers one of the finest line ups out of the UK's festivals and this year is no different. James Blake headlines the festival on Saturday with a strong line up of a live set from Floating Points and DJ sets from Mount Kimble, Special Request and DJ Koze prior. After storming the UK with their debut single SWIM, Brighton quintet Fickle Friends are one to note for the Saturday too.

Not only is the line up strong but the prospect of not having to camp is another reason Field Day is a solid favourite. There's something very comforting about drinking and dancing all day with the prospect of your bed waiting at home and a solid night's sleep before waking up to do it all over again on the Sunday.

Saturday tickets cost £54.50, Sunday tickets are £49.50 and a standard weekend ticket comes in at £94 for standard or £132 for VIP. You can purchase them here.

Love Saves The Day, 28th - 29th May

If I had to pick my favourite city bar London in the UK, the prize would easily go to Bristol. It's architecturally interesting, there's a vibrant music scene and most of the people I've met have seemed to be open-minded and somewhat eccentric.

Tickets for Love Save the Day are pretty cheap too - if you got in their early, the first release of Saturday admission tickets were priced at only £27. When the line up consists of big names like Hot Chip, Mura Masa, Joy Orbison and Dizzee Rascal, it's an absolute bargain.

Sunfall is a new festival to this year but you'd never guess that from the stellar line up of the two days hosted in Brockwell Park. A festival by day with the likes of Jamie XX, Ben Klock and Zomby, tickets are bought with eight separate club nights hosted in South London as part of the package.

The inaugural Sunfall looks like it will certainly be one to remember.